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2 day old with shallow latch

My son is 2 days old and is my second child. I nursed my daughter and didn't have too many problems with latching initially. My son keeps getting a shallow latch and my nipples are sore and blistered! I've tried getting him to open his mouth wider and then basically shove the nipple in as far as I can, but I don't know if my timing is bad or what, but it doesn't seem to be effective. Does he maybe just have a smaller mouth so is having a hard time getting a good latch? Could it be because he's still only getting colostrum and is too anxious to get his belly full of "regular" milk? Any advice would be so much appreciated!

Re: 2 day old with shallow latch

In the early days baby is learning to nurse, and mom is learning baby. Sometimes it takes a bit more adjusting to get things right. But if you are having latch pain and injury, especially if it is getting worse rather than better, it might be a good idea to get in person assistance if at all possible.

Sometimes it is best to basically get baby into a workable position and simply let baby latch, other times mom has to be more proactive in helpinh baby take the breast in a way it won't hurt.

Have you gone back to latch 'basics'- baby turned fully to mom, (so baby does not have to turn head to latch,) and baby's head tilted slightly back so baby has room to get a nice mouthful?

Here are two simple pictorials, you want the one on latch. (you could also read the info on tongue tie, of course.) Notice that the mother is in a “slightly” laid back position, looks like on a couch? This is a very “adjustable” position, play around to find how you and your baby are most comfortable. http://cwgenna.com/quickhelp.html

Re: 2 day old with shallow latch

He is now 5 days old and it's getting better. At his first check-up I'll ask to check him for tongue tie, but it's not really a cause for concern from what I know about tongue tie.

Glad to hear that things are improving! Just want to point out that there are really 2 types of tongue ties: those that don't cause problems for breastfeeding, and those that do. If a mom has a tongue tied baby and her nipples are getting torn up, then that's probably a tongue tie that's causing problems and needs to be fixed.

Re: 2 day old with shallow latch

We had his appointment today and no tongue tie. His latch has improved a lot since I posted this.

I think my daughter just had a better latch right off the bat, whereas my son needed a little more guidance. No more blisters or soreness and he hardly has to be adjusted! I just needed a little patience.